We are not a people of hopelessness

October 2012

Video: "We are not a people of hopelessness"

David Kasali speaks at the Congo Forum on October 11 in Minneapolis. The Forum was hosted by Augsburg College and sponsored by CI, Christ Presbyterian Church, and the American Refugee Committee.

ENGAGE!

1. Read our newsletters

2. Learn more about the DRC and the African Great Lakes

3. Start a book club with one of our recommended books.

4. Spread the word by hosting a gathering of friends to tell the story. (We can provide you with resources to do this!)

5. Volunteer with CI in the US.

6. Commit to monthly support for UCBC students.

7. Make a one-time contribution.

8. Contact CI to discuss opportunities for serving in DRC.

DONATE

Dear Friends and Partners,

What a joy and delight it has been to visit with many of you around the country these past several weeks, sharing the vision and work of CI, beginning new friendships and renewing old ones. We were privileged to be in Massachusetts, Washington, California, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan and Minnesota. We are greatly encouraged by the excitement so many of you have shared with us and for the eagerness with which you have sought to understand more deeply what we are up to in eastern DRC, as well as how you might become involved.

Blacknall

David Kasali has been particularly energized and refreshed by his speaking visits, and this is largely due to the affirmative responses he has received from so many of you. We send him back to Beni, DRC this week rejuvenated for the work before him, and as we do, we want to say thank you to all of you--our friends and partners, for the blessing and support you have been not only to the work of CI, but also to David personally.

If you were not able to participate in one of these events, you might be wondering, what was this all about? Well, we're glad you asked. Our hope and prayer during these past four weeks was to do the following:

Tell the story of Congo and CI, especially the hope we see in the midst of hopelessness
Meet you and get to know your interests and passions
Invite you into participation with CI, which can take on a variety of forms. (See "Engage!" for more details.)

We accomplished the first goal (telling the story) through David Kasali's gift of Menlo Park storytelling and passion. Anyone who has had the opportunity to hear David speak understands this first hand. Our second goal (meeting you) was accomplished because so many of you showed up to hear the story! Together, we will accomplish the third (participation with CI), as we dialog and collaborate with many of you.

Our desire is not only to serve DRC--her peoples and future, but also to serve you and your desire to engage with this work through your time, talents, and treasure. Our prayer is for CI to be a resource and a channel to you as you look for meaningful ways to invest yourself in a transformational cause.

Paul and David

For photos of our visits around the country, be sure to check out our Facebook page and photo albums.

Website Internship Opening!

We are looking for an energetic intern who can assist us for 5 hours per week with some important website updates, including writing and editing copy, working with photos, designing layout, and ongoing maintenance to keep our website fresh. No previous website design experience required. Click here for a full job description. If interested, please send you resumé to Cullen Rodgers-Gates at cullenrg@congoinitiative.org.